Cricket

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has emphasized that representing his country in Test cricket remains his top priority, while acknowledging the need to balance his commitments with the Indian Premier League (IPL).Cummins, who led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the IPL 2024 final, is aware of the new IPL rules that could impact his future participation in the tournament. Under the revised regulations, overseas players who do not register for the player auction in a particular season become ineligible to participate in the following year's auction. Additionally, players who make themselves unavailable after being picked at the auction face a two-season ban."I'll work out in the next little bit what this season looks like. There's a bit of a tweak in the rules, but I don't know whether that would have affected me in the past, I've never pulled out after the auction. But it is one more factor to consider with the IPL," Cummins told The Sydney Morning Herald.Despite the potential implications, Cummins remains steadfast in his commitment to Test cricket. "Test cricket is the absolute No.1 priority, world cups are right up there, and then I think you use them as your tent poles and work out what else makes sense around that," he said.Cummins acknowledged the demanding nature of the international cricket calendar and the need to prioritize his commitments. "The calendar is never going to get any less busy, and I'm not going to get any younger, so these things have always been considerations, and moving forward will become even more so. But needless to say, playing cricket for Australia, particularly Test matches, is my number one job and priority," he added.Looking ahead to the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, Cummins expects a fiercely contested series. "The couple of home series I've played against India there's always an element of attrition to them. The last series came down to the last session at the Gabba on the last day of the last Test match," he said."That's a good thing to keep in mind; it is a long series, and it might be tightly held until the last game, so you've got to manage your resources throughout," the Australia captain added.

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has emphasized that his primary focus remains on representing his country in the longest format of the game. While acknowledging his participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Cummins has yet to make a decision regarding his involvement in the upcoming season.Cummins, who was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a record-breaking Rs 20.50 crore in the IPL 2023 auction, led the team to the final. With the mega auction for the IPL 2025 season approaching, teams will be allowed to retain a maximum of six players, including a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped players.Cummins is currently focused on the upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. He is aware of the new IPL regulations that prohibit foreign players from registering in the following year's auction if they withdraw after the auction."I'll work out in the next little bit what this season looks like. There's a bit of a tweak in the rules, but I don't know whether that would have affected me in the past, I've never pulled out after the auction. But it is one more factor to consider with the IPL," Cummins told The Sydney Morning Herald.Cummins reiterated that Test cricket remains his top priority, followed by World Cups. He acknowledged the increasing demands of the cricket calendar and the need to prioritize his commitments."Test cricket is the absolute No.1 priority, world cups are right up there, and then I think you use them as your tent poles and work out what else makes sense around that. The calendar is never going to get any less busy, and I'm not going to get any younger, so these things have always been considerations, and moving forward will become even more so. But needless to say, playing cricket for Australia, particularly Test matches, is my number one job and priority," he added.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Owner Advocates for Increased Player Retentions and Auction Transparency in IPLSunrisers Hyderabad owner Kavya Maran has proposed a significant change to the Indian Premier League (IPL) player retention system ahead of the 2025 season. During the IPL owners' meeting at the BCCI Headquarters, Maran called for an increase in the number of player retentions or Right To Match (RTM) options for each team.Maran believes that expanding the retention options to six would allow teams to preserve the core of their squads and avoid potential player discontent. She suggested that teams could utilize the options as four retentions and two RTMS, all six retentions, or all six RTMS."The choice on whether a retention or RTM is used should be with the franchise based on discussions with the player," Maran explained. "This would give players the chance to either be retained or RTM at the market discovered price, ensuring that they are not disgruntled about the retention amount."Maran also highlighted the potential for side contracts between franchises and retained players if only retentions are allowed. She argued that RTMs would ensure that players receive market value within the restrictions of the purse, promoting transparency and maintaining the integrity of the IPL.In addition to the retention proposal, Maran also advocated for a ban on players who fail to appear for the tournament despite being selected in the auction. "After being selected in the auction, if a player doesn't come to play the season for any reason apart from injury, he should be banned," she said.Maran's proposals were met with mixed reactions from other IPL owners. Some expressed support for the increased retention options, while others raised concerns about the potential impact on the auction process. The BCCI is expected to consider the proposals and make a decision in the coming months.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the rising star of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has emerged as a formidable all-rounder in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His impressive performance in the 2024 season has not only solidified his position within the franchise but has also garnered recognition from cricketing legends.Reddy's batting prowess was evident throughout the tournament, as he amassed 303 runs in 13 matches. His ability to adapt to different situations and contribute with both power-hitting and sensible batting showcased his versatility. Moreover, his bowling contributions, which yielded three wickets, further highlighted his all-round capabilities.Beyond his on-field achievements, Reddy's journey is marked by his deep admiration for cricketing icons. He has openly expressed his reverence for Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, citing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as his favorite team for the past decade. Reddy's dream of meeting Kohli was realized in 2023, and he cherishes the moment when Kohli remembered his name during a post-match handshake in 2024.Reddy's commitment to the game has also earned him recognition from other prominent figures in the cricketing world. T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder Hardik Pandya reached out to Reddy after the IPL, praising his on-field intent and energy. Pandya's message of encouragement and inspiration has further motivated Reddy to excel as an all-rounder.Reddy's performance in the IPL has not only garnered praise from his idols but has also marked a turning point in his career. His consistent contributions have solidified his position as a key player for Sunrisers Hyderabad and have opened doors to potential opportunities in the future.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction of 2024 witnessed unprecedented bidding wars, with Australian pacers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc fetching record-breaking sums. SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) acquired Cummins for Rs 20.5 crore, while Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) outbid them with a staggering Rs 24.75 crore for Starc.While some fans and experts questioned the astronomical prices, both players justified their worth with exceptional performances. Starc, despite a relatively quiet group stage, delivered match-winning spells in the Qualifier 1 and final. Cummins, as SRH captain, led his team to the final, where they narrowly lost to Starc's KKR.However, in a recent interview, Starc admitted that he and Cummins were "a bit overpaid." He revealed that they had a laugh about it, saying, "We played the first game and nine weeks later we play again in finals. Suddenly it goes from 2 overpaid guys to these 2 are playing the final."Despite their high price tags, Starc and Cummins proved their value on the field. Their performances highlighted the importance of quality fast bowling in T20 cricket. However, former Australian pacer Brett Lee believes that India's Jasprit Bumrah is currently the best bowler across all formats.Lee praised Bumrah's pace, swing, and leadership abilities. He said, "He is the best bowler in all formats right now and leads the attack. Bumrah can keep up an amazing pace while shaping the new ball away. His tournament performance demonstrated his leadership abilities, taking about 15 wickets with remarkable economy. He is absolutely exceptional, and India is deserving of praise for their accomplishments."The IPL auction and the subsequent performances of Starc, Cummins, and Bumrah have sparked discussions about the value of fast bowlers in modern cricket. While high prices may raise eyebrows, the impact of these bowlers on their teams' success cannot be denied.

Mitchell Starc, the Australian pace spearhead, played a pivotal role in Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) third Indian Premier League (IPL) title triumph in 2024. Acquired for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore in the players' auction, Starc lived up to his billing, delivering match-winning performances throughout the tournament.In the grand finale against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Starc was at his devastating best, claiming figures of 2-14. His fiery spell helped KKR bowl out Sunrisers for a paltry 113, the lowest total in an IPL final. Starc's performance earned him the Man of the Match award, cementing his status as one of the world's premier T20 bowlers.Starc's impact extended beyond the final. In the first playoff against Sunrisers, he produced a match-winning 3-34, once again showcasing his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. His consistent brilliance throughout the tournament played a crucial role in KKR's title triumph.However, a recent video has emerged where Starc expresses his disappointment over the prize money distribution for the IPL title. In a talk show, Starc revealed that KKR received a prize of Rs 20 crore for winning the tournament, which was less than the amount he had earned at the auction."The IPL Final presentation didn't start until midnight & basically killed the vibe. Then cheques for winning team came over, it had INR 20CR price. Angkrish (Raghuvanshi) looked at that and said - Huh! it's not even what you got paid," Starc said in the video.Despite the prize money discrepancy, Starc's contribution to KKR's title victory cannot be overstated. His exceptional bowling performances were instrumental in the team's success, and he will undoubtedly remain a key figure for KKR in the years to come.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the breakout star of IPL 2024, has set his sights on emulating the iconic role of Hardik Pandya in the Indian cricket team. After a stellar season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he amassed 303 runs at a blistering strike rate of 142, Reddy was poised to make his India debut on the post-T20 World Cup tour to Zimbabwe. However, an untimely injury forced him to withdraw at the last moment.Undeterred, Reddy remains confident that his India debut is imminent. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, he revealed his aspirations to fill the void left by Pandya in the national setup. "There's a chance I'll get to play at no. 7 or no. 6, most likely a Hardik Pandya role," Reddy said. "I'm flexible to bat wherever I'm asked to, but as of now I'm preparing for the role that Hardik Pandya is playing."Reddy's versatility extends beyond his batting prowess. He has also showcased his skills as a handy pace bowler, recently becoming the most expensive player in the Andhra Premier League. This adaptability has made him a valuable asset for Sunrisers Hyderabad and has caught the attention of the Indian selectors.Despite his meteoric rise, Reddy remains grounded and realistic about his chances in the India setup. "If you ask me to open, I'll open as well," he said. "In the near future, I won't be getting the chance at the top order because there are more experienced players. I have to adapt to whatever role I'll get, and I've been prepared to adapt this way by domestic cricket."Reddy's selection for the Zimbabwe tour alongside a host of young players is a testament to the growing opportunities for emerging talent in Indian cricket. "I'm happy that there is a progression for youngsters who are performing well," he said. "After Rohit bhai (Rohit Sharma), Virat bhai (Virat Kohli) and Jaddu bhai (Ravindra Jadeja)'s retirements, there will be opportunities for youngsters. We need to grab them."At just 21, Reddy has already achieved significant milestones in his career. He is now a brand ambassador for Puma, the same brand as his idol, Virat Kohli. "My inspiration is Virat Kohli, so I'm really proud to be a part of Puma," Reddy said. "Puma really supported me through the IPL, and the greatest thing is that they're providing opportunities to youngsters like myself and Riyan Parag."With his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and the support of a major brand, Nitish Kumar Reddy is poised to become a mainstay in the Indian cricket team for years to come.

Australian pace spearhead Pat Cummins is brimming with confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup, believing his game is in its best shape in a decade. Fresh from a successful stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Cummins has joined the Australian squad in Barbados, ready to make his mark.Cummins' confidence stems from his impressive performances in the IPL, where he led the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the playoffs. He finished the tournament with 17 wickets in 17 matches, showcasing his ability to adapt to the demands of T20 cricket."Probably as well as I have for the last 10 years really," Cummins told cricket.com.au of his T20 bowling. "We played 17 games straight (at the IPL). For the most part, international T20s are after the Test series, and you've got to try and hit a yorker or a slower ball, and then go back to a Test series.""So just getting the pace of the game and executing some of those balls that you need more in T20 cricket than in other formats, I feel really well placed," he added.Cummins emphasized the importance of playing consistently in the same format, which he believes makes a "huge difference" to the tactical side of bowling."A lot of T20 bowling in particular is about thinking through your sequencing of which ball to bowl or when, and I think over the course of the season you get to learn pretty quickly what's working and what isn't.""Even if it doesn't work first game, and you feel like it's never going to work every game, but you know that if you zoom out over the course of the tournament it's going to work for you. So it's nice coming in here with that confidence."Cummins' tenure as captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad not only polished his bowling skills but also enhanced his leadership credentials. However, he is content to take a backseat in leadership with Mitchell Marsh stepping up as captain for the T20 World Cup."I'm obviously there to help him if he needs me but it's Mitch's show. I'm certainly there to help ... as are a lot of the senior guys, so he won't be short of help if he needs it," Cummins said.

Abhishek Sharma, the rising star of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has emerged as a force to reckon with in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The young batsman has showcased exceptional batting skills, amassing an impressive 484 runs in 16 innings with a remarkable strike rate of 204.02. His ability to hit the ball to all corners of the ground has been a sight to behold.Sharma's success can be attributed to the significant influence of renowned players like Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid. His father and childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, shared insights into the impact these legends have had on his career.Yuvraj Singh, known for his explosive batting style, has dedicated his time and effort to train young talents like Abhishek. "I feel very good when world-class players like Yuvraj Singh train young kids then there could not be anything better than that," said Rajkumar. "Yuvi has had a huge impact on his career, he worked really hard and used to make him train all day and night."Abhishek's admiration for Yuvraj Singh was evident from a young age. Rajkumar recalled, "He used to consider Yuvraj as his idol and used to say 'Mai Yuvi paaji ke tarah batting karunga' (I want to bat like Yuvraj Singh). He used to watch his videos and once they started training together even Yuvi himself said ki 'mujhe aise lag raha hai mai khud batting karraha hun' (It seems like I am batting) and then he and his entire team used to train him, Yuvi used to himself stand and watch him bat."Throughout the 2024 IPL season, Abhishek Sharma proved his mettle as a formidable opening batsman. His explosive batting style and impressive strike rate of 204.22 led to some memorable partnerships with his teammate Travis Head.Rajkumar further emphasized Abhishek's innate talent and the opportunities he received to interact with cricketing legends. From a young age, Abhishek's ability to hit long sixes and clear the stadium boundaries left everyone in awe. As he grew older, he had the privilege of meeting and learning from esteemed players like Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid, and Brian Lara."I used to get good bowlers and he used to hit sixes and even clear the ball out of the stadium. Everyone used to be shocked that a kid hits long sixes. And I used to tell everyone he was gifted. When he got older he went to professional coaches and top players and I thanked them for this result. He met Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara and started travelling the country and playing well," stated the youngster.Abhishek Sharma's exceptional performance in the 2024 IPL season is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the guidance he has received from cricketing legends. As he continues to grow and develop, he is poised to become one of the most exciting batsmen in the world.